Re: X10 problems

["tomdubourg" <thomas.dubourg@xxxxxxx>]

Hi Adam

I had a similar problem with X10 signals not getting through to their 
destination.

In my situation I found it was my TV putting interference on the ring 
main. Moving my CM12U to a socket closer to the controlled devices 
fixed my problem - but I had the advantage that I don't need the 
computer permanently connected to the CM12U.

Can I suggest the following :

1) Unplug every mains device in your house. Tedious but the only way 
to isolate the problem. 

2) Test your X10 setup - if it now works you know you have a
"dirty" 
device that is putting interference on the mains. The challenge now 
is to re-plug your devices one by one until you find the offender.

3) If your X10 setup still doesn't work switch off lighting 
circuits/cooker circuits etc. at your fuse box so leaving only the 
ring main connected. If X10 still doesn't work you may be getting 
interference from a neighbour...  You will need a friendly neighbour
to investigate their appliances! Also I think there is a filter that 
you can connect to clean your mains supply as it come into your house.

If and when you find the offending appliance you can get a mains 
filter from Laser that will prevent interference travelling from the 
appliance into the ring main.

Good luck!

Tom


--- In ukha_d@y..., "Adam Stevens" <adam@z...> wrote:
> <delurk>
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I've been using X10 for a number of years.  Mostly for monitoring
the
> house (using Hawkeye PIRs) rather than control of devices, although
I do
> have a number of lights which are X10 controlled.
> 
> Over the last week, I've been experiencing serious problems with my
X10
> settings.  It's a bit of a long story, so please bare with
me!...
> 
> My setup consists of about 6 Hawkeye's, a couple of X10 RF 
receivers and
> a few other bits and bobs.  Last week, I noticed that the
Hawkeye's 
had
> stopped working, and today, I finally got around to having a play 
to see
> if I could see what was wrong.
> 
> Most of my PIRs are on house code "F" (F2, F4, F6 etc, which
allows 
the
> code + 1 to be the dawn/dusk sensor, and leaves F1 as the socket on
the
> TM13).
> 
> I have a small three bedroom house, one of the bedrooms is my 
office,
> contains all my computer kit, and is the room where the CM12 is 
plugged
> in.  There is a double socket in the landing just outside the
office
> door, and a single socket at the other side of the landing.  
> 
> I know for a fact that the mains ring goes from the office, to the
> landing double socket, to the landing single socket, and then into
the
> main bedroom where I have about 6 double sockets.
> 
> If I plug a TM12/13 into one socket in a double socket (set to,
for
> example, house code "G"), and an appliance module into the
other 
socket
> on the double (set to "G7"), then using my RF remote,
pressing G1 
on or
> off causes the TM12 to switch on and off (as expected). Pressing G7
on
> or off causes the appliance module to switch on or off.
> 
> If however, I plug the TM12 into the single socket in the landing,
or a
> socket in the bedroom, then although I can switch the TM12 on or
off
> using G1, G7 has no effect at all.  Even if I plug the TM12 into
a
> double socket in the bedroom, and the appliance module into the 
other
> socket of the double, then although G1 will cause the TM12 to 
switch, I
> can't get the appliance module to switch at all (although they're 
right
> next to each other, and I know they both work).
> 
> I've played with this quite comprehensively, and it would appear 
that
> X10 singles are not getting any further than the double socket in 
the
> landing one way, and a socket in the sitting room the other (which
is
> the "other side" of the mains ring).  If I use any
other socket in 
the
> house, no X10 is received.
> 
> I've read about new electrical equipment sometimes causing X10
> interference, however the only new thing I've bought in the last 
couple
> of weeks is a TiVo, and a new TV.  I've tried unplugging these
from 
the
> mains, but I'm still getting the same problem.
> 
> The weird thing is that for a couple of years, this has all worked
fine.
> I've never had a problem with X10 communication to the extent that
I've
> even been able to use X10 in my detached garage which is about 100
feet
> from the house (and on a different ring to the house mains).
> 
> Also, none of my lights are now controllable via X10, presumable 
because
> my CM12 is plugged into the mains ring in the office, and the
single
> isn't getting as far as the lighting ring.
> 
> This really is driving me mad!... Does anyone please have any ideas
on
> what's going on?!!
> 
> While I'm here, I've also (because of these problems) been
thinking
> about switching from X10 for my PIR monitoring to some kind of
wired
> system.  I've had a quick look at the 1-wire systems, but I have
to 
say
> that it all appears quite complicated to me!!... Can anyone point 
me in
> the right direction for using some form of wired PIRs in
conjunction
> with Homeseer or Autom8it. 
> 
> TIA,
> Adam.



http://www.automatedhome.co.uk
Post message: ukha_d@xxxxxxx 
Subscribe:  ukha_d-subscribe@xxxxxxx 
Unsubscribe:  ukha_d-unsubscribe@xxxxxxx 
List owner:  ukha_d-owner@xxxxxxx
List of UKHA Groups here - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UKHA_Grouplists/

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.